The finale to the Emily Wilde trilogy by Heather Fawcett. Thank you to Netgalley and Little Brown Book Group for the advance reader copy of this title for an honest review.

The finale to this trilogy I have found incredibly solid! The start takes us with Emily, Wendell and Shadow back to Faerie to take back Wendell's kingdom from his step mother. When they get there they find her dethroned after being poisoned by Emily and take over the palace from his uncle with Emily still to answer his question to be his bride.

He gives her a door to go back and forth to get a bit of escape from Faerie and to see visiting friends. While adjusting to the new rule a blight starts creeping over the lands which only Wendell's bloodline can hold back.

They marry to secure the throne and then go after the stepmother finding her already passed Wendell has to make the ultimate sacrifice.

Another well crafted and written sequel in this trilogy rejoining us with the beloved characters of the first two books.

I sped through this story really quickly captivated by the twists and turns the plot takes and Emily's numerous adventures and schemes with the folk.

A very solid end to the trilogy that I fully enjoyed well worth a read!

A really nice ending to the series. These books aren't my absolute favourites but they're very comforting and warming and that's what I love about them the most and this one was no different. I'm going to miss these characters.

Final rating: 4.5 ☆

This was a sweet end to the series. I loved being immersed in the world one last time 🥹 Shadow, Emily, and Wendell are some of my favourite fictional characters and I am distraught that this was the end of their story 😩💗 I started reading this back in early January and kept putting off finishing it because I didn’t want the story to end! I even picked up the audiobook and fell in love with the accents (definitely recommend the audio experience if you have it as an option!)

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an early review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I will always absolutely adore the world and characters Heather Fawcett has created in the Emily Wilde trilogy. Emily is one of my all time favourite protagonists with her quick-wit and endearing passion for academics at the expense of social ease. It has been an absolute joy to watch the Sherlock Holmes of Faerie grow to her full potential across the series. Wendell Bambleby will always be an absolute delight.

I adored every time this book tied back to previous characters and adventures. This series delivers a world of faerie that feels both authentic and absurd in the best possible way that is equally sinister and charming. I adore the academic twist to the prose which really allows these stories to stand out in a time where fae are an epidemic across publishing (not that I’m complaining about that).

It is heart-felt, clever and full of twists, mystery and action.

I did feel this book dragged more than I was expecting. Whilst the stakes were higher in this book than the previous novels, they felt the lowest and basic plot points felt inevitable.

This series has put many a smile on my face and I shall hold the characters close to my heart. I would have loved more Poe though.

I did love the conclusion to Shadow’s tale.

I LOVE THIS SERIES. I am so sad to have finished it and will definitely be listening to the books again.

I listened to the first two books as audiobooks and then received an e-arc of this third one via NetGalley so thank you NetGalley and Little Brown Book Group UK for letting me read it before it was published! When the audiobook came out I started listening to this as well as reading on my kindle.

I love this world!!! The world building in all three books is fantastic. There’s so much detail and vivid description without it being heavy and weighed down. All the characters are well thought out and well placed. The fantasy element is fantastic and very original.

Emily and Wendell are a dream couple. One of my favourite things about Wendell is that he knows exactly what Emily is like and doesn’t expect her to change throughout the book. He loves her scientific curiosity so much and never judges her for it, even when at times it might come across as insensitive. He always tries to think of her and what she might want when he acts, which is why he is a fantastic book boyfriend.
I also love Emily. Her scientific curiosity is so nice to read and experience and her unique mind and wit are fantastic. The journal entry format is brilliant and it always helps everything feel less intense and stressful even when stressful things are happening, because you know she has written the events down after the fact, and is therefore alive and well.

After reading the last two and loving them, I was very keen to keep going with Emily and Wendell’s adventures. And my god were there some adventures in this book!! There were new characters, the return of previous beloved characters, and many exciting plot points. I really enjoyed the story and as I listened to the books essentially back to back it all felt like a single continuation.

There were times when the stressful situations were resolved probably a bit too quickly and easily. However, I don’t care because I love the characters and world so much. The entire book could have been simply about Emily drinking tea and Wendell sewing cloaks all day and I would have loved it anyway.

I would describe this book as a warm breeze on a summers day. Or that feeling when a cup of tea is at exactly the right temperature

As this is the final book in this charming and beautifully written trilogy – a lot was resting on its success. Has Fawcett managed to successfully bring the story of her spiky heroine to a satisfactory conclusion? Especially as, this being Emily, such a conclusion isn’t necessarily one that would appeal to most people…

The answer is yes. While this books feels different from the other two offerings in this trilogy – I’d also point out that the tone and setting between Encyclopaedia of Faeries and Map of the Otherlands is also equally dissimilar.

Now that Emily and Wendell are back, with Wendell reclaiming his crown and announcing that Emily is his queen, you’d think that most of their troubles are behind them. However, nothing could be further from the truth. There is a really unpleasant curse they have to deal with that ups the stakes to lethal consequences. Emily’s terrible fear that their story is going to end in disaster gives this tale an extra edge – because I was also thinking that might be the case. The ongoing tension and Emily’s vulnerabilities were not only depicted by Fawcett’s wonderful writing, but skilfully highlighted by Ell Potter’s excellent narration.

Emily’s scholarship, along with the footnotes, feature even more heavily in this tale. This aspect could have silted up the pace. But her academic interest and prowess is so much a part of Emily’s character that it would have been selling this wonderfully quirky protagonist short if Fawcett had short-changed us on this part of her characterisation. We see her uniquely tested when her worst fears are realised and watch her shut down. I was impressed by Fawcett’s skill in giving us a sense of how profoundly she’s grieving, even though we don’t get lots of tears and professions of loss – it certainly had me weeping.

From this lowest of points, Emily’s quest is to somehow rewrite their story – and then take it in a different direction. It’s here that we see her lean into the few relationships she’s made over the span of the previous two books, so that we get to see previous characters and an insight as to how they’ve also moved on. It’s a nifty, clever device to give us a sense of closure with the whole cast of characters, rather than those who happen to feature within this story arc and one I much appreciated.

All in all, this final book brings Emily’s adventures to a triumphant close. I finished the book in a swirl of emotion – sad to see the last of a character I’d come to be very fond of, while at the same time happy that the conclusion is so satisfying. I would just mention at this point – if you happen to pick up this one before reading at least one of the former books, please put it back on the shelf and tuck into the first book. This is definitely a finale and reads as such. The whole series is very highly recommended for fans of fae, who also appreciate a satirical look at the academic world and all its quirks.
10/10

Amazing conclusion to one of my favourite cosy fantasy series ever. Really loved em and wendell's relationship in this one and felt it drew their story to a nice close. Quite a lot going on plot wise but it was great

4.5 stars
I really liked it. It was a slow book but the academic ambience is impecable. I love every character and I'm going to miss Shadow. It was really nice end for a really nice saga.

4.5 Stars. I would live in this world forever if I could. Heather Fawcett is able to capture the strangeness of the fae while also giving them dimension. Emily and Wendell are two of my favourite characters. I am not the type of person to ever finish series because they are usually a let down-- I was not let down in the slightest. The characters and the story held true. I cannot wait to read everything else that Heather Fawcett ever writes

This was a phenomenal ending to the Emily Wilde story, I hope we get more in the future. Emily and Wendall have taken back his realm and they now need to learn how to live in their new reality, and also lets throw in some big fairy issues as well. Emily has to face brand new challenges, not all can be helped with research either. Emily really comes out of herself in this one, but she doesn’t change at her heart at all which I adored. Wendall loves Emily for who she is and does not expect her to change either. This series is amazing and I love it!

ARC Review: Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales by Heather Fawcett

I wasn’t sure what to expect from Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales, but it quickly won me over with its mix of academic charm, whimsical storytelling, and deep faerie lore. Even without reading the previous books, I found myself completely immersed in Emily’s world.

Set in 1910, this third installment follows scholar Emily Wilde as she faces fae politics, an impending war, and her own engagement to the ever-charming faerie king, Wendell. With a powerful curse threatening the fae realm, Emily must rely on her vast knowledge of folklore to navigate a treacherous path to salvation.

💛 What I Liked
1. Rich Faerie Lore – The mix of Irish mythology and academic intrigue made this world feel vivid and immersive.
2. Emily’s Unique Perspective – A fiercely intelligent yet socially awkward protagonist with subtle but rewarding growth.
3. Wendell’s Charm – Arrogant, devoted, and effortlessly amusing, he stole every scene.
4. Slow-Burn Romance – The grumpy/sunshine dynamic was beautifully woven into the narrative without overshadowing the plot.
5. Engaging Writing Style – The journal format and footnotes added to the scholarly feel.

✨ What I Wish Was Different
- Pacing Issues – The heavy focus on research sometimes made the story drag.
- Too Many Footnotes – While authentic, some felt unnecessary and disrupted the flow.
- Low Tension – High stakes but convenient resolutions made conflicts feel less urgent.

🎨 What Makes It Unique
The novel treats folklore as both a source of knowledge and a living force that shapes reality, making it more than just a fantasy—it's a love letter to storytelling itself.

📖 Who Will Love This Book?
If you love mix academia, magic, and slow-burn romance, you'll find this book enjoyable.

✨ Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC! This review is based on my personal opinion. 😊

3.5 ⭐️
I love Wendell and I’d read any book that has him in it but I felt this last book was a bit samey and I was looking for some more romance. It’s a very cute low stakes comfort reading series. The writing style is great. I feel it would be better suited as a duology. Thank you for allowing me to arc read it in return for an honest review!

Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales is the captivating third book in Heather Fawcett’s Emily Wilde series, combining elements of light academia, fae lore, and slow-burn romance into a beautifully woven narrative. Fawcett's mastery of whimsical storytelling and intriguing world-building continues to shine in this enchanting tale of a scholar’s journey through the perilous and politically charged realm of Faerie.

Emily Wilde, the dryadologist with an insatiable curiosity for the fae, has always felt more at home in the world of academia than the realm of human social norms. Now, she faces the ultimate test of her skills and her resolve as she becomes the queen of a faerie realm. The plot kicks off with Emily and her now-fiancé, Wendell Bambleby, who was once her academic rival, stepping into the heart of Faerie after Wendell's long-lost kingdom is thrust into their hands. What could have been a dream scenario for Emily—a chance to immerse herself even further in faerie culture—quickly turns into a deadly nightmare. As they assume the throne, they find themselves surrounded by dangerous magic, political intrigue, and secrets that could tear their world apart.

The allure of this series lies in the central character of Emily Wilde, whose academic inclinations often clash with the high-stakes, chaotic world of Faerie. Initially, she feels out of place—an unassuming scholar thrust into the role of queen in a realm filled with beauty and danger. Fawcett explores Emily’s internal struggles with her identity, her sense of belonging, and her increasing feelings for Wendell. Their relationship, which has evolved from rivals to partners, adds a layer of sweetness and depth to the story. Wendell, as the dashing and mercurial prince, is both Emily’s anchor and her greatest challenge, his magical abilities often serving as a foil to Emily’s bookish, knowledge-driven approach to life.

The faerie realm itself is a character in its own right. As Emily and Wendell delve deeper into the mysteries of the kingdom, readers are treated to a world filled with faerie lore, scholarly treasures, and deadly curses. Fawcett’s vivid descriptions bring the realm to life, blending magical landscapes with the danger lurking beneath the surface. The kingdom is not just a place of beauty but also a land rife with betrayal and curses, especially with Wendell’s stepmother’s malevolent magic threatening to unravel everything they’ve worked for. The ticking clock of the curse adds urgency to the plot, keeping readers on edge as Emily and Wendell try to uncover the secrets before it’s too late.

The prettiest type of writing and a world which is so homely. Reading this during autumn again. I adored this concept, need a reread soon

Emily Wilde I LOVE YOU!!!!!

Overall this is a pretty satisfying end to the Emily Wilde series (I'm kind of assuming this is the end of a trilogy although I can certainly see further books in this world). I didn't enjoy it as much as book 1 or 2 but I've come to love these characters and the writing style of this series so much I was having fun regardless.

My only issue with this book was the plot fell a little flat for me - I maybe should have reread the first 2 beforehand to try and remember what the style of these books is like because it kind of felt like the action happened very quickly and was over in just a page or two, which didn't fit for me with the ending of a trilogy. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoyed the ride, but I just maybe expected the exciting and dangerous parts to be a tiny bit more epic.

I will be rereading this series in physical so I can annotate so I will update this review when the paperback is out!

Thoroughly satisfying last course of cosy academia
—
In Fawcett’s third outing with Emily Wilde, tales come to an end, mysteries are illuminated, and plenty of new horrors are revealed. After Emily’s previous shenanigans in Faerie, she is now returning with her fiance Wendell by her side, triumphantly taking their thrones. But is all is not well in Faerie: an unforeseen curse and an impossible cure are all that stand in the way of Emily’s happiness. Will she be able to find the answers in her beloved tales, or will Emily at last succumb to the capricious fates of Faerie?

As in the previous books, this is a gentle but brilliant fairy tale expanded into epic fantasy, that uses all of the strengths of the two genres to create tension and overcome obstacles to happy ever after. And although this wraps up the story so far, there’s plenty of mileage for the next chapter.

A delightful five stars: must read!

I would like to thank the publisher for providing me with this ARC!
This series has easily become one of my comfort series. I loved everything about it, including the atmosphere. It was so refreshing to read about older main characters (not just the typical 18-25-year-old leads). Emily and Wendell's story had the right amount of suspense and comfort that I love (and my soul needed). What a beautiful journey! So sad to see this series come to an end, but I cannot wait to see where life takes Heather Fawcett next!

Wow I loved this book I love Emily and Wendell so much im going to miss them so much.
I think this one my favorite series.
I would highly recomended it

Gosh I ADORED this book and I found this the perfect cosy ending to this charming series.
I will always happily read more from Emily and Wendell!!
Heather Fawcett has crafted such a wonderfully magical series full of quaint academics and loveable characters and I will be keeping my eyes open for anything else from her!

I have been avoiding writing this review because I still don't fully believe my favorite series has reached its conclusion.
Heather Fawcett has written a book and a series that will live in my heart and that brings me immense joy. There was nothing I enjoyed than reading each scene, especially with the dynamics between Emily and Wendell, and how different they are.

"If Wendell’s stepmother has us slain before I have a chance to contribute to the scholarly debate, I will be very disappointed."

I loved every single moment: the humor, the characters (main and secondary, they added a lot of richness to the story), the ambience and the setting in different locations, Shadow and Orga.

My small complaint is that I wish we had more moments between Emily and Wendell, this was a very action and dark book and I longed for those moments.

However, this is and remains a favorite series. The conclusion was lovely and I am grateful for the chance to read an early copy.

Thank you, Emily!